it's wonderful to be home on veteran's day and have the friends and family here. you never get tired of that. >> reporter: finally home and julie is six months' pregnant. >> it was enough to leave this guy behind, but to find out i had another one coming, it's amazing. >> right when i get to be really large he will be here to help out. [ laughter ] that should be nice. >> reporter: after five months and 23,000 miles from hawai'i to the arctic, on the u.s. coast guard cutter bertholf. the jackson brothers may be taller than mom, but she still knows best. >> for them it seems harder. some of the e-mails, we had the issues and heartbreaks. >> reporter: for now all of these hearts are warm and full. another novelty for tim mason, baby owen is taking his first steps. >> he was barely crawling when i left. >> they will spend time on land home for the holidays, their next mission is in march. in alameda, lorraine blanco, ktvu channel 2 news. >>> now to our continuing coverage of hurricane sandy and victims of that superstorm are get something help from special who know j